If
you’ve ever stepped into a yoga studio or new age book shop, you may
have noticed that these places sometimes have a very particular smell.
This is because many of these locations regularly practice
smudging, a Native American tradition that uses the smoke of sacred
herbs to purify a room. This ritual is similar to the act of burning
incense.
While the practice of smudging is commonly associated with
sage, there are other herbs you can use and more concrete benefits you
can enjoy.
Why Burn Bay Leaves
Bay leaves have been a things of legends for millennia: whether
its incontestable role in Greek and Roman folklore or its steady
presence in Indian and Caribbean culture and cuisine, this herb has
withstood the test of time.
But bay leaves aren’t just used in food and fairytales, the
herb is commonly used as a fragrance ingredient in creams, lotions,
perfumes, soaps, and detergents.
Herbal Benefits
Traditionally, the leaf is used as a sedative, analgesic,
anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory, The herb also has antibacterial
and anti-fungal properties and lowers both blood pressure and heart
rate. It’s often used to help treat insomnia, chronic stress and to
alter mood.
As a culinary herb, bay leaf can help manage glucose levels and
cholesterol levels in people with diabetes and prevent kidney stones. Taken as a tea, bay leaf can prevent the growth and spread of
Leukemia and cause apoptosis in other cancerous cells.
How To Use Bay Leaves
Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from cooking with this
herb to get these benefits, just make sure you remove the leaves before
serving, as they can be a chocking hazard.
However, if you’re feeling stressed or you’re a bad mood,
simply burn a leaf or two in an aluminum baking tray in your room or
office and leave for ten minutes. Make sure you close the windows (a
breeze could knock it over), keep the tray away from anything flammable
(like paper, wood, or linens) and make sure you’re not burning it under a
smoke detector.
When you come back inside, the smoke of the herb will make your
mind and muscles feel more relaxed and you’ll find it easier to focus
on your task at hand. When you’re done, dispose of the ashes outside.
